Eye-protector.



Ne. 657,!83. Patented Sept. 4, I900.

E. G. STEVENS.

EYE PROTECTOR.

(Application filed Apr. 11, 1898.)

(No Model.)

WITNESS F f I INVENTOH yak/wad I? j TTORNEKS w: N nav, ia-ms co, wcmumo WASHINGTON, o c

PATENT FFICE.

ED\VARD G. STEVENS, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

EYE-PROTECTOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 657,183, dated September 4, 1900. Application filed April 11, 1898. Serial No. 677,136. (No model.)

To aZZ whont it may concern Be it known that I, EDWARD G. STEVENS, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of New York city, county of New York, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Eye-Protectors, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part thereof, in which similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

This invention relates to an improvement in eye-protectors; and the object thereof is to overcome the defects existing in similar devices now in use.

Heretofore in devices of this character the edges of the frame contacting with the face have been covered with a thin metallic strip, (which is in itself stiff and irritating to the skin,) or these edges have been covered with a padding of cloth or felt, which partially prevents irritation of the skin, but absorbs perspiration and quickly becomes grimy and offensive to the eye and nose, as Well as dangerous to health. In the class of protectors in which wire-gauze is used it is found that the rays of light passing through the minute apertures are particularly distressing to the eyes, and when used by a person having weak eyes this feature is a serious objection. All protectors are perforated to a greater or less extent for ventilation, and the rays of white light passing through the apertures, in combination with the softened light passing through the tinted front, have a distressing effect upon the eyes of the wearer. Experience shows that a stiff frame having flexibility at certain points is what is most desired, and this invention, which will be hereinafter fully described, and specifically set forth in the annexed claims, supplies this deficiency.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a plan view of the device. Fig. 2 is a side elevation. Fig. 2-3 isan end view, partly broken away. Fig. 4 is a detail vertical section on the line a: a; of Fig. 2, and Fig. 5 is a similar view illustrating a slight modification.

In applying my invention I employ a frame A, of sheet metal, the upper edge a of which is turned over, forming a flange, against which the transparent plate B, preferably of tinted mica, is held. The lower edge of said frame is turned outwardly, forming a flange a, of approximately-semicircular contour in cross-section ,in which a series of holes a are drilled Vertically. The object of these holes is to weaken the flange, so that a certain amount of flexibility is imparted thereto, and the result is that the flange yields and conforms to the lines of the face of the wearer without irritating the skin. Alug a projecting from said flange, is provided with a hole a therein, adapted to receive a string for securing the device in position. The portions of the frame contacting with the nose are cut away on the lower side at a to avoid abrasion of the skin of that organ. The mica or other transparent media is held in place in the usual manner by means of lugs a, bent from the main body of the frame A. A strip of mica or other transparent substance I) encircles the frame within the walls thereof and closes the openings caused by the formation of the lugs a. This strip is held in place by means of lugs 01. These lugs are preferably placed in alternate position with the lugs a The said strip of tinted substance prevents the entry of white light-rays. Slits a across the outer end of the frames afford a greater amount of flexibility to the frames at this point, where it is most desired, whereby they are adapted for accurate adjustment to the face of a wearer.

The frames are connected by a hinge (Z, of sheet metal. Each leaf of the hingeis pivoted to the frame by means of the pivots d, and each of said leaves is provided with an in- Wardly-projecting lug cl, adapted to limit the lateral play of the leaves of the hinge by reason of the fact that said lug will contact with the frame A when the latter moves a short distance upon the pivot d. The leaf (1 has a projecting lug d adapted for engagement with the under side of the leaf d The metal of which the hinge is composed possesses properties so that the leaves will bend under pressure and facilitate the opera tion of the device in accommodating itself to the contour of the wearers face. At the same time the spur d prevents undue yielding in open position.

In the modification illustrated in Fig. 5 of the drawings a flexible flange a is secured to the lower edge of the frame instead of being formed integrally, as illustrated by the other figures of the drawings, and it is obvious that under the scope of my invention I am entitled to other slight structural variations.

It will be understood from the foregoing description that my invention provides an improved frame which is essentially rigid in its main portion and is rendered flexible only at certain points where a yielding or flexible movement is desirable.

Having thus described my said invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is--- '1. As an improved article of manufacture, an eye-protector of the class described comprising the frames essentially rigid in their main portion and rendered flexible at their outer ends by the slits a the transparent plates carried thereby, the lower edge flange a, carried by said frames and arranged to form a flexible portion adapted for contact with the face, and meansfor connecting said rigid frames, substantially as shown and described.

- 2. In an eye-protector, the combination of the frames essentially rigid in their main portion, the transparent plates carried thereby, the hinge connecting said frames and having a pivotal connection therewith and embodying means for limiting the movement of the frames with respect to the hinge members, substantially as shown and described.

3. In an eye-protector, the combination of the frames essentially rigid in their main portion and rendered flexible at theirouter ends by the slits a the flexible flanges carried by said rigid frames, a portion of said flanges being cut away to prevent abrasion of the skin of the nose, a hinge connecting said rigid frames and operating in conjunction with the flexible flanges to prevent abrasions, the leavesof said hinge being flexible, substantially as shown and described.

4. In an eye-protector, the combination of the frames essentially rigid in their main portion, flexible flanges carried by said rigid frames, and the series of slits a, extending transversely. across the outer end Walls of said frames, substantially as shown and described.

5. In an eye-protector, the combination of frames essentially rigid in their main portion and having openings in their walls, flexible flanges carried by said rigid frames, transparent plates carried by the frames, auxiliary transparent strips encircling the walls of the frames and closing the openings therein, a hinge connecting said rigid frames, substantially as shown and described. I

6. In an eye-protector, the combination of frames essentially rigid in their main portion and having openings in their walls, flexible flanges carried by said rigid frames, transparent plates extending across the frames, auxiliary transparent strips encircling the frames within-the walls thereof and closing the openings therein, a hinge pivoted to the frames and located above the horizontal center of the longest diameter of said frames and having stops bearing against said frames, sub stantially as'shown and described.

7. In an eye-protector of the class described, a frame essentially rigid in its main portion and having walls carrying at their edge a metallic perforated flange for contact with the face, substantially as set forth.

8. In an eye-protector of the class described, a metallic contact-flange formed of a curved metallic strip rendered flexible by the continuous series of openings formed through said flange, and extending longitudinally around the same, substantially as set forth.

9. In an'eye-protector, a frame embodying walls having openings, and a transparent strip encircled by said walls of the frame and closing said openings, substantially as set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as myinvention I have signed my name, in presence of two witnesses, this 8th day of April, 1898.

EDYVARD G. STEVENS.

Witnesses:

SYDNEY DUNN Pansoorr, JOHN A. WILLIAMS. 

